For Dr. Nickerson’s hips, everything came together

There's sometimes a tendency to wish we had done something sooner, a sense that maybe we shouldn't have waited so long, especially when it involves an improvement in our lives. That's not the case with Michael Nickerson, DDS, a Kilmarnock-based dentist who received back-to-back hip replacements last year.

In fact, he believes Tyler Wind, M.D., the Riverside orthopedic surgeon who performed the hip surgeries delivered the specialized skills at exactly the right time, when the leading-edge technology and orthopedic surgery techniques that made his hip replacements so effective were available.

For both hips, Dr. Wind utilized the anterior hip procedure, a less invasive alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that relies on a smaller incision and eliminates cutting through the surrounding muscles. As a result, this procedure, used to treat advanced arthritis of the hip, has the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility.

"I checked into his specialized training," Dr. Nickerson said of Dr. Wind. "He did a fellowship with some of the most skilled orthopedic surgeons in the country and has a lot of experience with innovative approaches. I saw right away that his capabilities met my needs."

Before surgery, Dr. Nickerson experienced a considerable amount of pain, especially while standing on his feet all day at his dentistry practice and during long car rides. After his September 2014 surgeries it was a different story.

"I've been extremely happy with the results," he said. "Dr. Wind and his team were outstanding and the overall care I received was excellent. The staff at Riverside Tappahannock Hospital was very positive and I think that played an important role in how quickly I recovered."

Just how quick was that recovery?

Only 13 days after surgery, Dr. Nickerson was back in his dental office on a limited schedule. He continued to build strength and endurance and after six weeks was cleared to get back to the gym … with two new hips and a markedly improved quality of life. And he's not alone.

"I know half a dozen people who have seen Dr. Wind for their hips and they've also been really pleased," Dr. Nickerson said. "Everything has exceeded my expectations. I experienced pain for a long time. It's a wonderful feeling not to hurt anymore."